Many years ago, when a young police officer, I completed a firearms course as a detective which enabled me to ‘carry’ a handgun.
At around that time, a male called Stephen Waldorf was shot a number of times in the street by two Met police officers. He had been mistaken for a dangerous criminal, David Martin.
I knew one of the officers and both those involved had to stand trial. Some months later, in a police canteen, I saw the officer who I knew. I was stunned to see that they had literally aged about 20 years.
That was enough for me. I informed my bosses that I had no wish to bear the responsibility of carrying a firearm. They accepted my decision.
I have nothing but admiration for those who are prepared to take the responsibility of not just being a police officer but of carrying a firearm in the knowledge that a split- second decision could not only end a life, but permanently change the life of that officer and his or her family.
In one infamous case, an incident where a criminal, Azelle Rodney, was shot dead by police, took ten years for that case to be finalised and the police officer exonerated after a trial.
Following the death of Chris Kaba, firearms officers have been described by activists as ‘trigger happy,’ which could hardly be further from the truth.
In the last year, across England and Wales, there were more than 18,000 firearms operations. Firearms were discharged on 10 occasions.
In London, Met firearms officers respond to between 300 and 400 calls and pre-planned operations a month and take numerous firearms and other deadly weapons off the streets.
They also frequently arrive at scenes of stabbings and shootings, often gang related, before paramedics and, by virtue of being highly trained in trauma related first aid, save lives; a fact ignored by activists.
Whilst many firearms officers are back on duty and will welcome the proposed review by the Home Secretary in terms of the law as it relates to armed officers, this action in respect of ‘refusing to carry,’ should be regarded as a warning shot ‘across the bows’ of both government and senior officers.
Officers, whether firearms trained or otherwise, are tired of unbalanced constant denigration included from their own senior officers.
They acknowledge that corrupt officers need to be removed from policing, but are frustrated and angry that the acts of bravery, kindness and compassion which occur on a 24 hour a day basis are rarely acknowledged.
